100 James Bourchier Boulevard, Sofia, Bulgaria | (888) 962-8097
Located near a metro station in the Lozenets district
Dazzling lobby that’s dressed to impress
Seven room categories, some offering mountain views
All units come with AC, minibars, TVs, and free Wi-Fi
Suites add living rooms and, occasionally, kitchens
Many updated rooms have a contemporary look
Almost 50,000-square feet of event and exhibition space
On-site conference center and banquet facilities
Staffed business center with a full range of services
Six restaurants, two bar and two nightclubs
20-meter indoor pool, work-out room, and spa
Relaxing Japanese garden, complete with swans
About a 25-minute walk from the city center
Over-the-top common areas won’t suit all tastes
Room decor is very dated in some categories
Lower-tier rooms lack tea/coffeemakers
Some rooms still have old tube TVs
Past guests have reported issues with service and maintenance
Travelers who seek out superlatives will love this upscale property in the Lozenets district. After all, it boasts the city’s largest conference hall and ballroom, its longest hotel pool, is glitziest lobby, and (arguably) the broadest line-up of dining and nightlife opportunities. Hotel Marinela also happens to have the country’s most sizable suite: The Presidential, spreads over almost 3,000-square feet. The catch is that the 442 rooms represent a real mixed bag stylistically, running the gamut from opulent to completely outdated; and today’s must-haves (including flat-screen TVs) are sometimes missing. When consistent quality and a more modern look matter, consider upgrading to the Sense Hotel Sofia, a boutique alternative belonging to the prestigious Design Hotels family.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Gorgeous or garish, depending on perspective
This hotel’s ultra large lobby is a black-on-white extravaganza so glitzy it could make Donatella Versace do a double take. Dominated by shiny surfaces and bold geometric patterns (a combination both breathtaking and almost blinding), it has an unexpected look for a Balkans hotel—especially one occupied by a restrained building designed by famed Metabolist architect Kisho Kurokawa. What isn’t surprising is the type of guest you’ll find milling around inside it, most of them business travelers who come for conferences and stay on-site for the myriad dining and drinking options.
Location
Near public transit but a long walk from Sofia’s center
The hotel, situated in the southern Lozenets district, is about a 25-minute walk from the city center; thankfully, the closet metro station is a mere four minutes away on foot. If you’re not a fan of public transport, rental vehicles, car-and-driver combos, plus free parking are all available on-site. It’s an eight-minute car ride to Vitosha Boulevard, the city’s main commercial strip. Getting to popular tourist sites, like the imposing Alexander Nevsky Cathedral or 4th-century St. George Rotunda, will take about twice the time; ditto for Business Park Sofia, reputedly the largest facility of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe. An in-house travel agency can assist guest wishing to go farther afield. - Four-minute walk to James Bourchier Metro Station
Rooms
The good, the bad, and the outdated
Rooms covering 323-square feet are supplemented by assorted suites boasting separate living rooms and, in some cases, kitchens. The largest of the lot—The Presidential, which has hosted celebs like Enrique Iglesias and Lady Gaga—has a plush antique look that extends right into the marble master bathroom. Don’t get too excited, though, because most accommodations are far less grand: in fact, some look like they haven’t been touched since the hotel first opened in 1979 (picture laminate furnishings, beds topped with brocade-style spreads and tired tiled bathrooms with combination shower/tubs). In comparison, the updated versions with contemporary blond-wood appointments that are often offset by bold carpeting are a vast improvement. As with the decor, amenities are offered on an ascending scale. All choices come with air conditioners, minibars, safes, TVs, and free Wi-Fi, but niceties like tea/coffee-making equipment, magnifying mirrors, USB ports, and even flat-screen TVs (as opposed to old-school tube ones) only become standard as you work your way up through the categories.
Features
A full roster of business and recreational features
Aimed largely at business travelers, this hotel has a whopping 48,395-square feet of event and exhibition space available indoors or out. Factored into that number is a ground-floor conference center with its own entrance; the city’s largest ballroom/banquet hall, which can accommodate up to 700 people; more than a dozen board- and break-out rooms; as well as a staffed business center that can provide anything from audio-visual equipment and technical support to translation services. The downside is that, like the guest rooms, the quality is uneven in terms of decor: some are bling-y but some look like bunkers and others are just plain bland. The equally broad range of leisure facilities includes a 20-meter indoor pool backed by a bank of windows that let natural light flood in; a spacious pool-view fitness center outfitted with modern Technogym equipment; and a rather pedestrian looking spa-slash-salon which offers the usual treatments. There are ample eateries throughout the hotel as well, with top honors going to the nautical-themed Captain Cook Restaurant specializing (surprise) in seafood; the more eclectic Marionette, focussed on international fare; and Umami, a classic-meets-contemporary Asian spot that opens onto the tranquil Japanese garden. After dining, guests can retreat to a broody British-inspired cigar bar or opt for something more raucous at one of the in-house clubs. Among the other features are a 24-hour reception desk with multilingual staff; concierge, currency exchange and laundry/dry-cleaning services; room service; a luxe shopping arcade; add-on airport transfers; and free hotel-wide Wi-Fi. Note that because dental tourism is a big deal in Bulgaria, there’s an on-site dentist, too.
